Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest Class Action Lawsuit Settlement News!

FEMA Trailer Formaldehyde Class Action Settlement

By Matt O’Donnell

Victims of Hurricane Katrina and Rita who were housed in hazardous, government-issued FEMA trailers will receive $42.6 million from a class action lawsuit settlement that was approved Thursday.U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt granted Final Approval of the FEMA trailer settlement on September 27, 2012, which will provide $37.5 million to roughly 55,000 residents of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas paid by more than two dozen manufacturers of the toxic FEMA trailers. Residents can also file claims to receive shares of a separate $5.1 million class action settlement with FEMA contractors that installed and maintained the units.

The FEMA trailer class action lawsuit (entitled In Re: FEMA Trailer Formaldehyde Product Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2:07-MD1873) was filed after government tests in 2008 found dangerously high levels of formaldehyde in hundreds of trailers. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that can cause severe health problems to those exposed to it. FEMA trailer occupants had complained of health problems such as nosebleeds, headaches and breathing problems.

If you suffered symptoms or injuries as a result of formaldehyde exposure in a Travel Trailer or Park Model Trailer provided by the U.S. government which was manufactured,installed, maintained or refurbished by one of the below-listed Manufacturers and/or Contractors following Hurricanes Katrina and/or Rita, you may be eligible to receive a cash payment from the FEMA trailer class action lawsuit settlement.

The FEMA trailer class action settlement includes the following Contractors, along with some of their insurers, as Defendants:

If you are not sure whether you are included in the FEMA trailer formaldehyde settlement, you can call the Settlement Administrator toll-free at 1-800-728-1628 or visit the website www.FEMAFormaldehydeLitigation.com.

The amount of money you can receive from the FEMA class action settlement will be based on a Class Benefit Formula approved by the Court. If you received any Medicare/Medicaid/TRICARE/Veteran’s Administration/Indiana Health Services benefits, some or all of these amounts may be deducted from your settlement.

The ONLY way to receive a payment from the FEMA trailer settlement is to complete and submit a Claim Form postmarked by October 12, 2012.

Claim forms and more information on your rights in the FEMA Trailer Formaldehyde Class Action Lawsuit Settlement can be found at www.FEMAFormaldehydeLitigation.com. Detailed instructions on how to file a claim for the FEMA trailer settlement can be found in our Open Lawsuit Settlements section.

We tell you about cash you can claim EVERY WEEK! Sign up for our free newsletter.

Email*

State*

Updated October 1st, 2012

All class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Lawsuit News section of Top Class Actions

Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.

How do you know we will receive a letter after the first of the year. I was told that on Oct. 12 the court was going to submit a formula to determine the amounts and that everyone would then receive letters telling us the amounts. That’s what I was told

How do you know we will receive a letter after the first of the year. I was told that on Oct. 12 the court was going to submit a formula to determine the amounts and that everyone would then receive letters telling us the amounts. That’s what I was told

just found out today that everyone who filed a claim now has a claim number. so we should hear something soon. we hope. probably won’t get much of nothing though, there is more than a 100,000 claims. according to the last count info.

I saw articles that said each plaintiff should get around $4020 each. When you do the math it doesn’t add up. Plus there was only 55,000 claims. It’s just crazy that it is taking so long. I promise you the attorneys have been paid but the ones that suffered still suffer. By doing the math it looks like we might get $201.00. To read articles type $4020 fema settlement payment. Does anyone have the number to the attorneys?

we now have claim numbers, i don’t know how to get it but that’s what i was told yesterday. Tammy which lawyer are you looking for. like i mentioned earlier there is over 100,000 claims but not everyone will get a check, is what i was told. good luck everyone.

well i read the article about the $4020 a piece and i don’t see how everyone will get the same amount according to the attorneys we won’t all get the same amount. if so i will be very upset cause i’m a cancer patient. and that would not be fair.

So sorry to hear that Jackie. Both my son and I have had severe health issues since then. When they started this I was told those who had medical records would receive more than the others. It is what it is I guess

thanks Tammy one thing that I have learned in dealing with lawsuits is that we always get the short end of the stick. I just hope they be fair. So many people filled out claim forms just to get in on a settlement which I feel is sad.

I’m very disappointed with the whole thing. My family has had many problems since living in that trailor. Not major problems, but who knows what the long term effect will be. I agree the lawyers don’t care how long it takes to release the funds, because they have gotten paid. It is sooo sad they way we have all been treated. All I know is god will take care of us, and provide all our needs, so hold God has the last word!

well i was finally able to reach the lawyers office this morning and they told me that there is only about 55,000 people, so now you don’t know who to beleive. I will be so glad when all this is over. It doesn’t matter if you have a huge health issue or a small one. we all suffered in those trailers.

I emailed the website. I got a message from the Feraro Law Firm, I was told that they reviewed my claim, but they regret to say my claim has “NO VALIDITY”. Excuse me we stayed in one of those CALIVIER trailet for 2 1/2 years. My husband had a stroke four months after moving into trailer. I have been recently been diagosed with stage four cancer. NO VALIDITY PLEASE.

@tammy I have watts and hillard too and that Tristan person put a number up and said jan 5 but the recording says dec. 5 checks was mailed out . I wouldn’t trust that info . I haven’t heard of anyone receiving a check from the lawsuit for them to say checks went out dec 5.

can anyone tell me how you are getting all this info because i have talked to my lawyers several times and he said nothing about checks being mailed on Jan 5. Remember this settlement is for travel trailors not mobile homes.

When you call 504-483-8956 there is a recording that comes on and says checks for the traivel trailers had been mailed out starting Dec 5 but when i spoke to the people at the 800-728-1628 they said that was for the mobile trailers not the travel trailers. You cant get a clear answer from anyone seem like.

How may people actually saved their paper work from when they went to a Doctor for thier illnesses. How many actually went to the doctor? Hard to say, but everyone who suffered in those trailer should be compensated for thier suffering!. You had a bad trailer , you should be paid! Period! Me and my wife had a lot of symptons and we hould be paid I feel. Thanks Sorry for my rant

I sent an email to the web site and recieved a reply. They stated to be patient and that there was no set time frame for the claimant payments. Still reviewing claims and just be patient. That what they replied.

The time for patience is over. Claims should have already been done and we should have already received a letter. With a the money the attorneys made they need to work harder and faster. This is unjust. Gary who is your attorney?

I emailed them and they are doing the same song and dance. There is no set date for us to get even a letter explaining our claim. Pathetic. They appreciate our patience. Who said we are patient. They said in several articles that we would receive our payment late 2012 or beginning 2013. Guess it depends on their definition of beginning. It would be do nice to know how much and when.

I just talked to my lawyer today and they said it will be another to weeks befour we get our checks. And that its takeing longer then what wangs planed.And that there is 100.000 people who has claims and another 250.000 people that who filed.so what the hell is going on.i lived in a fema camper for four years with my four kids we all stay sick sick all the time. And the drs dont never no whats wrong with us.

That was for the mobile homes not for travel trailers. I have no proof but I figure about 402 each. If u take away what the lawyers get. I bet they have their money. I don’t think they should get paid to we do and maybe they haven’t but it shouldn’t take this long.

i suffered with my eyes burning and had astma can’t spell the word right but i did not get my money yet i lived in a fema travel trailer since katrina and rita my husband got sick also with the same problems.when will we receive my checks from the settlement please let me know by my email thanks

I received a $100 check for myself and filed iclaim for my kids to bc they do live with me and i only received a check for me!….not right I think they don’t have there stuff together and trying to get over everyone

the latest information on the fema formaldehye litigation was posted on their website on March 8,2013. This is how I found out how much each person was getting. So if you want more info, type in fema formaldehyde litigation and after the home page comes up click on the blue link.

My attorney had told me that there r two types of checks,litagated& non litagated. Some trailer manufactures filed bankruptcy. That why many only received a 100$. I lived in 3 different trailers. All tested possitive. The lawsuit won againt the manufacture that didnt file bankruptcy is the one we r waiting for. My son suffered two surgeries,i got a lung disease from it,my grandson couldnt see for four months& my daughter had stroke from the poisoning. We r all still very sock. My last round of bronchial bacterial infection lasted 42 days. I broke two ribs from the coughing. The checks r just taking way to long to get releif

If u lived in a unit that the manufacture filed bankrupcy,u will receive ony 100$ per person. This is called non litagated. If u lived in a unit that the manufactures were taken to court,thats called litagated. But how long do we have to keep waiting to have closure to this? After all,its been 6 months now since lawsuit was awarded

there is an update on the case on the fema formaldehyde website, they have been posting them regularly lately. IF you want to know where u stand you can look on there for info.http://femaformaldehydelitigation.com/manufacturers.html, they finally did a case update on the website. you can go on and read the latest

I was reading the court documents from the fema case on the court website. Daniel J Balhoff is the special master for the funds his fee for the case 275.00 per hr. His deputy special master 250.00 per hr. paralegals get 75.00 per hr. all charges are billed to the funds on a monthly basis. WISH I WAS A PART OF THAT TEAM.

I just talked to my Lawyer a min ago and she told me the samething like always. That theres no new update. That there going throw all the people in there list. But i think its bs as well cause it shouldnt take this long. Just for us waiting this long we should get ..mote on our checks.

its a cryin shame that all them lawyers got paid an they werent even sick, We who are really sick and has stayed sick cant even get PAID! Its not like we want this money just for the hell of it! We are intitled to this money we got sick they put us in these trailers they can pau up!!!!!!!!!!!!

just got off the telephone with my lawyers office, they told me that the letters are expected to be mailed out at the end of May or the first week in june. hope this helps. the checks will not be with the letters. that what i was told.

I talked to my lawyer like 3days ago and she told me that everybodys reward letters are bein sent out, unless shes lieing to me. I no im tried of waiting it.and so is everybody esle.i sure do hope its soon. Does anybody no how much we going to get yet. My lawyer said no less then 1,000 each.

I would like to know why some attorney have information on when the letter are to be mail out. I have Watts as my attorney and they never have anything the can tell me but that just wishful thinking that the people are posting on this site.

Watts office told me that claims are being process and that the master’s office does not have a deadline so they don’t know when any letters will go out. I feel like calling the master’s office myself to ask them because they have not updated their site since 4/2/2013.

Well they don’t want anyone calling the special masters office or the court they want you to get in touch with the lawyer that is handling your case but some of the lawyers either acting like they don’t have a clue and I do mean acting they don’t want anyone saying that such and such told them because they are not suppose to Leak any info so they tell you something to keep you at bay the reason for no update is because they have nothing else to say so they say its no time line they have people twisted backed in a corner so when they decide to give it up you will be glad to except what ever you get they have a strategy behind the waiting and it’s working to their advantage think about it ? That’s why they call them a special Masters they put the Monkey on his back now not to take nothing from him I understand that he is a very fair Person so I was told so who ever when ever someone gets anything let us know one thing we do know is that we can depend on each other so the moment I get any info I will share it with you and you guys the same. Victims of Katrina & Rita

A new update was posted today June 14th on the fema formaldehyde website. It states that the allocation letters were mailed out today. The amount that is to be received by each claimant is not given. I guess we will find out when we get our allocation letters in the next 2 weeks.

I got a letter today from the special master and my reward amount was only 85$. I can’t believe I waited this long and that’s what I get. What a ripoff. I guess all our $ goes to the lawyers and the special master.

Tom I was curious if those with low amounts were from the same firms. I received my families letters today. My oldest son and I had medical documentation but all four members got the same amount $228.07. So sad. I pray those with cancer get compensated better than that. Attorneys made off better than the victims and the mental and emotional stress we endured us horrible. Now how long do we wait for the check. I’m guessing nothing will be done til after July 12th.

Well Tammy we got the 228.07 also I can’t understand it I would like to post something but I will wait until the attorney calls me today before I say something. That I shouldn’t but I will after they call me this whole thing smells dirty something is very wrong I don’t know what but I will find out I know they probely read these post but its something’s I would like to ask you and tell you but don’t want to put my # on the site maby we can find a way to communicate some other way

It can’t be before July 12th. That is the deadline to object to the amount. How long after that who knows. Look how long it took them to send out a letter. I am curious as to certain a firms were given different amounts. They say this was on a point system. How did they come up with that? Face it we were all screwed. The attorneys and special master got the money and those who lived in life threatening surroundings got a small check and a pat on the back.

I have to say no amount of money would ever bring my mom back but I didn’t think they would tell me that I was getting 309.55 back!!!! I’m not understanding why everyone got such low amounts. My Mother got cancer from the trailers she founded out that she had cancer aug 30, 2008 and passed away sep 28, 2008!!!! This is so not far… I hope the best for everyone!!!

I was told today that we will recieve the checks at the end of July or the beginning of August. I think this is soon wrong we need to stand up and do something about this,this is so cruel bad enough they took nine months to mail the letters an now this. Really.

My lawyer told me today that we will recieve our checks in the next 2 months how sad an when I told her about my amount which is 228.07 she said oh that’s about right. I didnt want to talk anymore because this is so ridiculous.

Kjwk that’s a good question what can we do get together put all the checks in the bank get the interest like they did for about a year come up with something you would have to talk to a law firm out of the state these Bastards here you Can’t trust as far as you can see its a trick bag

i am getting only 228 and i ended up in the hospital for 2 years after it, with Brain cancer and to this day i am still suffering from it cuz the tumor i got from it can not be removed so when it flairs up i end up back in the hospital.

Well I think we will be waiting awhile for the checks. I call and found out that the checks want be mail out until they get finish with all of the objections claims. It would be nice if they would just pay everyone that did not object to the award amount.

Well I think we will be waiting awhile for the checks. I call and found out that the checks want be mail out until they get finish with all of the objections claims. It would be nice if they would just pay everyone that did not object to the award amount.

Well I think we will be waiting awhile for the checks. I call and found out that the checks want be mail out until they get finish with all of the objections claims. It would be nice if they would just pay everyone that did not object to the award amount.

Well I think we will be waiting awhile for the checks. I call and found out that the checks want be mail out until they get finish with all of the objections claims. It would be nice if they would just pay everyone that did not object to the award amount.

Well I think we will be waiting awhile for the checks. I call and found out that the checks want be mail out until they get finish with all of the objections claims. It would be nice if they would just pay everyone that did not object to the award amount.

This is ridiculous…. the amount that we all will be receiving. I will not use the Buzzbee Law Firm again. Every time I called no one knew what was going on. The amount that my family will be getting don’t even cover our medical bills. I had to take my daughter out of school and home school her because she was so ill. My husband has permanent breathing problems ect….. I have a doctors paper stating for FEMA to find me another place to live besides the FEMA Trailer or I will be dead in 6 months. We had to find our own place. And we lost it this year to foreclosure. And I know there are so many of us with permanent medical problems due to the fema trailers. The amount we are getting is an insult…….. The one’s that made the decision of the amounts, probably never had to stay in the trailers. How many people trailer caught on fire or had other problems besides the formaldehyde? It sickens me more to know that we are being scammed by all these attorneys. Lets all stick up for each other and hold our head high. Hopefully something will change. Lets see how long it takes to get our money now. It’s only been 8 years since Katrina.

This is ridiculous…. the amount that we all will be receiving. I will not use the Buzzbee Law Firm again. Every time I called no one knew what was going on. The amount that my family will be getting don’t even cover our medical bills. I had to take my daughter out of school and home school her because she was so ill. My husband has permanent breathing problems ect….. I have a doctors paper stating for FEMA to find me another place to live besides the FEMA Trailer or I will be dead in 6 months. We had to find our own place. And we lost it this year to foreclosure. And I know there are so many of us with permanent medical problems due to the fema trailers. The amount we are getting is an insult…….. The one’s that made the decision of the amounts, probably never had to stay in the trailers. How many people trailer caught on fire or had other problems besides the formaldehyde? It sickens me more to know that we are being scammed by all these attorneys. Lets all stick up for each other and hold our head high. Hopefully something will change. Lets see how long it takes to get our money now. It’s only been 8 years since Katrina.

This is ridiculous…. the amount that we all will be receiving. I will not use the Buzzbee Law Firm again. Every time I called no one knew what was going on. The amount that my family will be getting don’t even cover our medical bills. I had to take my daughter out of school and home school her because she was so ill. My husband has permanent breathing problems ect….. I have a doctors paper stating for FEMA to find me another place to live besides the FEMA Trailer or I will be dead in 6 months. We had to find our own place. And we lost it this year to foreclosure. And I know there are so many of us with permanent medical problems due to the fema trailers. The amount we are getting is an insult…….. The one’s that made the decision of the amounts, probably never had to stay in the trailers. How many people trailer caught on fire or had other problems besides the formaldehyde? It sickens me more to know that we are being scammed by all these attorneys. Lets all stick up for each other and hold our head high. Hopefully something will change. Lets see how long it takes to get our money now. It’s only been 8 years since Katrina.

I think i will just go to the local news because this doesn’t make sense. My lawyer’s office told me the checks would be mailed on August 1st…every time i call it’s a different story. The websites says we can’t call the Special Master’s office & that we should call our lawyers, but the lawyers are saying we have to call the Special Master’s office because they don’t know anything!!! It took 5 yrs to settle & it’s been 9 months & we still haven’t received anything…. #confused & tired of waiting…

I think i will just go to the local news because this doesn’t make sense. My lawyer’s office told me the checks would be mailed on August 1st…every time i call it’s a different story. The websites says we can’t call the Special Master’s office & that we should call our lawyers, but the lawyers are saying we have to call the Special Master’s office because they don’t know anything!!! It took 5 yrs to settle & it’s been 9 months & we still haven’t received anything…. #confused & tired of waiting…

I think i will just go to the local news because this doesn’t make sense. My lawyer’s office told me the checks would be mailed on August 1st…every time i call it’s a different story. The websites says we can’t call the Special Master’s office & that we should call our lawyers, but the lawyers are saying we have to call the Special Master’s office because they don’t know anything!!! It took 5 yrs to settle & it’s been 9 months & we still haven’t received anything…. #confused & tired of waiting…

I think i will just go to the local news because this doesn’t make sense. My lawyer’s office told me the checks would be mailed on August 1st…every time i call it’s a different story. The websites says we can’t call the Special Master’s office & that we should call our lawyers, but the lawyers are saying we have to call the Special Master’s office because they don’t know anything!!! It took 5 yrs to settle & it’s been 9 months & we still haven’t received anything…. #confused & tired of waiting…

I think i will just go to the local news because this doesn’t make sense. My lawyer’s office told me the checks would be mailed on August 1st…every time i call it’s a different story. The websites says we can’t call the Special Master’s office & that we should call our lawyers, but the lawyers are saying we have to call the Special Master’s office because they don’t know anything!!! It took 5 yrs to settle & it’s been 9 months & we still haven’t received anything…. #confused & tired of waiting…

When I spoke with the magistrates office last week they stated they were waiting on the magistrate to sign off on the list of claimants names, then they would send the checks out directly from his office not the lawyers office. He said it could take anywhere from a week to a month and they would put a update on the site.

I agree with you about going to the local news. It should not be taking this long to get the small amount of money we are getting. I think we all really need to ask our local news to help us with this matter.

I think we want get another update until next year. We ALL are getting different stories and that’s the reason we are not getting any updates. This is because the Special Master’s office don’t know what Special Lie they want to tell us.

I email them and received an email back stating that this is a large settlement and we can expect to receive our allocation by the end of the calendar year. Oh and to just be patient; a bunch of BS if u ask me

I just got an email from the man in charge. They started printing and mailing checks. There are 70,000 so they said it will take three to four weeks. His email address is balhoff@pabmb.com. This is his email address.

This came from the last update letter. If you call the 800-728-1628 usually someone answers and she will update your information then. Or you can enter your claim number without the letters online and it will verify your info. Please note that in order for a class member’s settlement check to be disbursed, the CADA must have all necessary information for each claimant, including Date of Birth, Current Mailing Address, and Minor Representative/Successor information (if applicable). You can confirm that your information is up to date by submitting an information update – to do so, click here.

I spoke with someone @ 800-728-1628 to verify if information was corrected. I then asked was the checks mailed out, she informed that checks should be mailed out in Nov. sometime and expect to receive before Thanksgiving

Checks will be mailed out this month and if u dnt receive them by the second week of November then u r asked to call the 1-800-728-1628 to let them know. I received an email this morning from the Fema litigation center

To many different stories; I was told by the fema litagation office that checks were being mailed out and if you didn’t receive by the second week of Nov you were to notify them. At the end of the day all we can do is wait; we all want and need our money but I also know I serve an on time God!

I sent a email today askin if checks had been mailed out cause the last email I received said they would b mailed at the end of the month. Well the reply was they will b goin out in the middle of November.

The Court document that was attached, stated that they have 30 days to disburse check from date document was filed, which was on Oct. 1, so they should be sending checks within a day or so. It’s not what they are saying, they have no choice but to follow what is documented in the court documents.

like it actually is gonna do good for the money. i got lung cancer from it ( never have i touched or been around cigarettes in my life im allergic to them) and im only getting $228 for going through chemo and about 1 year in the hospital bill i have is like $90k and they are not even gonna help pay that bill that was caused by their trailers.